Kokeshi Matches

Kokeshi Match started as a product of pure creativity. In 1994, as a part of a group exhibition, Kumi Hirasaka drew faces of KOKESHI (traditional Japanese wooden dolls) on each match by hand. In 2000, Kokeshi Matches are mass produced and later expanded into various designs such as chicks, piggies, cats and cranes. Check them out below!

Taking inspirations from both traditional Japanese art to what they encounters in everyday life; from magazines, to music, to random advertisement they find on the train, Hirakasa and her team continues to create art that makes people smile. (You just can't help it. I smiled when I saw these, seriously) One indispensable and important element in all of their designs is humor, the team's goal is "…to make something natural and something that gives people a chuckle"

Aside from mass producing their matches for sale, The Kokeshi Team continues to created one -of- a kind pieces for exhibition from 2011 on.

The First Mass Produced Kokeshi Match

Expanded Editions

The Fedrigoni Calendar 2013

The One Off recently worked with Fedrigoni, promoting their Woodstock range; a piece that would work as a functional piece; inspiring, innovative and a constant reminder of the range. Not a desk ornament.

Turbo Fly

There is something charming about a wooden airplane - its simplicity and uncanny link to the first flight. Matthew Tait, an artist/ designer from Ferndale, MI launched Turbo Flyer, a classic airplane model as the first of limited-run handmade art & collectibles from Tait Design Co. The package design is as charming as the airplanes. Because each piece of the plane lays flat and is cut with the same thickness, Matthew was able to encase them inside a cardboard packaging. With a satisfying velcro-snap, it opens up to reveal the plane parts.

"I've always loved vintage toys and wanted to take the classic hobby shop airplane that everyone had as a kid and elevate the design to new heights. I have been working on the product & packaging design for the last 4-5 months and am now in a place where I can produce these in multiples at my home studio – I do everything completely by hand."

Inside the Studio: Knock Knock

Talent is only a prerequisite. If we don’t look at your portfolio we’re not going to even consider you. So your talent is proven before you come into the interview. Insane talent is rare, but you know, just talent is not rare and it doesn’t make you that special.

- Jen Bilik, Owner and Founder of Knock Knock

A beautiful Thursday morning in Venice, California - I met up with the rest of the Dieline team at the headquarters of Knock Knock, a publisher of witty gifts, stationery, and design-driven books. They are sold in 6,000 stores across the United States, including such retailers as Barnes & Noble and Urban Outfitters, and also have extensive international distribution. We were first greeted by Knock Knock’s publicist, Arnold Chavez, who gave us a grand tour of the office, before meeting up with Jen Bilik, owner and founder, and Craig Hetzer, publisher, for our interview.

As expected, the highly spirited and lighthearted brand has a workspace that matches its attitude. They are located only a few blocks from Abbot Kinney Blvd., where you can find great shops, art galleries, and restaurants.

The structure of the building lends itself to an open and collaborative workspace. On nice days they often open up the big garage-style doors to let more sunlight in, which is one of the many perks of working in Southern California.

House Industry's Latest Creations

We are in love with the latest non-toxic, designer wooden blocks from House Industries. Each set comes in a special keep sake packaging that is as gorgeous as the blocks themselves. Check out House Industries' Red and Black Love Heart Blocks and Big and Tall Blocks after the jump.

Pop-Outs, Mini 3D Sculpture Cards

We are excited about this new three dimensional designs pop-outs from Another Studio. You can create a mini paper sculptures out of the dieline on a piece of card. "The range includes beautiful decorative stars, pretty peacocks, huge diamond rings, festive angels and fancy orchids for your lapel. The POP-OUTs are printed in the UK on a deluxe iridescent paper stock which gives them a shimmering, gleaming quality."